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Even as investigators closed in, questioning relationships between Sweetwater schools officials and construction companies, board member Pearl Quiñones held a birthday party campaign fundraiser last month with contractors as guests.

For the event at the South Bay Fish & Grill, $99 was requested, one dollar below the legal threshold to require disclosing a contribution on state forms.

“There will be Music, Dancing, Food and Fun,” the invitation said.

Quiñones is one of four current and former Sweetwater officials who stand charged with 24 felonies and eight misdemeanors for allegedly taking lavish meals and other gifts from contractors, then approving multimillion dollar deals.

In one email submitted in court by investigators, Quiñones wrote to a contractor, “I support those who support me!”

Quiñones did not return multiple calls for this story. Her attorney, Marc Carlos, declined to comment on the birthday fundraiser, and has said his client engaged in no wrongdoing.

“As many people as they have saying she may have said, ‘I support those who support me,’ we know of just as many people who have heard her say, ‘My vote is not for sale.’ That’s been her mantra,” Carlos said.

The investigation by the District Attorney’s Office came in response to a series of stories in The Watchdog, including one in which contractors were invited to give to a “money tree” at a bridal shower for the daughter of former Superintendent Jesus Gandara. District employees were invited as well. Gandara also stands charged, although his attorney said many of his gifts from contractors were reimbursed.

Little was known about what investigators were up to for months, until the homes of six current and former officials of Sweetwater schools and Southwestern College were raided on Dec. 20.

Five days before that, Quiñones held the gathering for her 59th birthday. Sweetwater employees and contractors were invited and attended, according to a Facebook page and those who went.

SGI executive Jaime Ortiz was there. At the time, he was managing the $644 million Proposition O bond project for SGI Construction Management, the firm suspended last week after the company's actions were highlighted in court documents.

Paul Bunton, an executive at BCA Architects — a Sweetwater and Southwestern contractor also named in court documents — posted a comment on Quiñones’ Facebook page saying he was sorry he couldn’t attend, but he would send a donation.

When asked about Ortiz’s attendance at the event, Robert Nida, an attorney representing SGI, declined to comment, but said in a statement, “SGI and its officials have fully cooperated with all investigations, including by providing all documents to the District Attorney’s Office, including those requested formally or informally. SGI has been informed that it is not a target of any investigation. SGI will continue to cooperate with the District Attorney’s Office. SGI has met its corporate legal and contractual obligations in making financial disclosures.”

SGI has contributed $23,900 to Quiñones for various political campaigns from 2007 through 2010, the DA’s documents state.

Quiñones is accused of receiving a number of other considerations from contractors, including “Jersey Boys” theater tickets and nights out such as a $711 meal at Morton’s, a $986 outing to Baci Ristorante, a $675 meal at Po Pazzo and a $307 trip to Donovan’s.

Prosecutors allege that she failed to report such gifts on required state disclosure forms, which were signed under penalty of perjury. Quiñones’ attorney says she relied on the advice of district lawyers for such matters.

“She has verbally consulted with district lawyers, about what should be required to be and what shouldn’t be required to be reported,” Carlos said. “She consulted with them on the majority of these things.”

Investigators at the home of Pearl Quinones, Sweetwater board member.
— John Gastaldo